System and method for network-based provision of on-demand real-time video communication

ABSTRACT

A system and method is described for facilitating a video connection between service providers and service consumers (clients) based on a queue of providers waiting in video rooms. Upon entry into a video room using a networked camera and microphone, each service provider receives a timestamp. Clients requiring service connect to the available provider with the oldest timestamp. In certain embodiments, the queue holds math tutors and the cameras are document cameras.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit and priority ofU.S. Application 62/102,210, bearing the same title, filed on Jan. 12,2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to the provision of services thatutilize real-time video communication over a network. More particularly,the disclosure is directed to a network-based architecture and methodconnecting a provider with a client in an organized queue among otheraspects.

BACKGROUND

Network-based one-on-one provision of service has become widespread withthe ever-growing availability of the Internet and mobiletelecommunications access around the world. In-person service, incomparison, is expensive, often inconvenient in terms of travel foreither service providers or clients, and sometimes simply unavailable.

For some fields of remote service, for example online teaching ofmathematics, or provision of advice in cooking or medicine, to name afew quite disparate disciplines, a real-time video connection isextremely helpful. In mathematics instruction both students and tutorsoften need to be able to show the method of problem solving, which caninclude at least diagrams, graphs, geometric shapes, and equations.

Video conferencing technology debuted in the United States during the1960s, e.g., as part of AT&T's development of Picturephone technology.The first transcontinental video call was made in 1964. Videoconferencing systems throughout the 1990s rapidly evolved from veryexpensive proprietary equipment, software and network requirements, to astandards-based technology readily available to the general public at areasonable cost.

Since the 2000s, video conferencing has been popularized via freeInternet services such as Skype and iChat, web plugins and on-linetelecommunication programs that promote low cost video conferencing tovirtually every location with an Internet connection. Computers serve asthe data processing units that tie together the microphones, speakers,cameras and displays, do the compressing and decompressing, and initiateand maintain the data linkage via the network.

Bruno (U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,561 granted 1998) describes an on-demandreal-time video conferencing system in a circuit switched communicationsnetwork. The technology enables a user to connect to another specifieduser or to multiple specified users.

Chao et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,632 granted 2001) describes an apparatusenabling online sessions between instructors and students wherebystudents and instructors are matched based on individual needs andinterests.

Stuppy et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,295 granted 2004) describes a learningsystem between a teacher and a plurality of students via interactivecommunication channels.

In some cases, service is wanted immediately in order to address aspecific, time-sensitive need, such as homework or test revision. Inthis case the availability of an on-demand immediate response from aprovider would be advantageous.

Burdin (US Patent Application Publication 2011/0289880) describes amethod for on-demand dispatching of services by trade persons, in whichlocal contractors indicate real-time availability for immediate hiringby customers. The contractors indicating availability are placed in aqueue where their position in the queue is determined by payment of afee, and the services, if ordered, are then provided off-line.

Schoenberg (U.S. Pat. No. 8,694,612 granted 2014) discloses a method forconnecting consumers with providers of live video performances, wherebythe selection of service provider is determined by the consumer'srequest for specific performance attributes.

Tutor.com is an online site providing 24/7 tutoring in many subjects,including mathematics. Users log in and can pay to choose from a widevariety of tutors in different subjects, where tutors are identified bya picture, name, and written profile. After making an appointment,communication during tutoring sessions is via voice, text chat, andshared interactive electronic whiteboard.

TutorCircle is another online site providing mathematics tutoring aroundthe clock. After purchasing a monthly plan, users can connect to a tutorusing voice, text chat and a shared electronic interactive whiteboard.

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) technology makes high-resolutionvideo, audio, file sharing and screen sharing possible directly in manyweb browsers without requiring software download. WebRTC is anapplication programming interface (API) definition drafted by the WorldWide Web Consortium (W3C) that supports browser-to-browser applicationsfor voice calling, video chat, and P2P file sharing without the need ofeither internal or external plugins. Joining a one-way or two-wayvideoconference (also referred to as entering a video “room”) is assimple as clicking on a link.

Despite the technologies known in the art, there remains a need tostreamline access to on-demand remotely provided services that relyheavily on visual representations and acts via videoconferencing. Thisdisclosure addresses a system and method for doing so. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systemsthat specifically address the practical needs for real-timeinstructional interaction in a cost-effective, secure and reliablefashion.

SUMMARY

To address the need for immediate video communication in particularnetwork-based provisions of service, the present disclosure is directedto a system and a method for a customer, user or client hereinafterreferred to as a “Client”, to receive real-time video services via acommunication network, from a service provider, instructor or performerhereinafter referred to as a “Provider”.

In the following, the term “videoconference” between a Client and aProvider will be used to refer to a connection that encompasses at leastreal-time video and audio originating from the Provider and transmittedin real time to the Client, and at least audio originating from theClient and transmitted in real-time to the Provider.

In an aspect of the current disclosure, a first-in-first-out (FIFO)Queue of service providers is described and implemented, where eachProvider enters a unique video room using a camera and microphoneconnected physically or wirelessly to a computer, tablet, or smartphone,or a camera and microphone incorporated within a computer, tablet orsmartphone. Each Provider's position in the queue is determined by thetime of entry to said video room. Clients requiring service join thevideo room of the provider that has been waiting for the longest time. AClient can join the video room only with a microphone, or with both acamera and a microphone. This provides a seamless, immediate,videoconferencing connection.

In certain embodiments, exceptions to the FIFO ordering of the providerqueue can occur. For example, this can occur when a Provider specifiesavailability only for a particular Client after scheduling with saidClient, or when Clients have indicated preferences for particularProviders.

The present disclosure comprehends an environment having a plurality ofClients and a plurality of Providers. However, in an aspect, eachservice session is between one Client and one Provider. Clients may bebilled for the service and Providers may be compensated for the service.In some aspects, no personal information or personal images need to beexchanged. The present system and method may be generalized to exampleswhere one Provider (e.g., an instructor or a performer) is presenting toand connected to multiple students or an audience of many distributedClients as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In an embodiment, the video technology utilized to connect the Clientsand Providers is WebRTC running in a browser, but other means ofproviding videoconferencing services may be utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentconcepts, reference is made to the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments and in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mode of communication between aClient and a Provider using document cameras attached to laptops;

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication embodiment using tablet computersoutfitted with an optical mirror or prism positioned on a built-intablet camera to show objects placed in front of the tablet;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of Providers (tutors) and Clients(students) connecting with each other according to a modified FIFOQueue;

FIG. 4 illustrates a Provider (tutor) page showing a video sessioninitiation button, with a choice between entering the Queue orindicating availability for a particular “favorite” Client, the abilityto post “open” times on the Provider's calendar, and the ability toaccept Clients' requested times;

FIG. 5 illustrates a Client (student) page showing: video initiationbuttons, appointment request interface, and view of “favorite”Provider's schedule; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a server-based systemfor providing instructional services between a Provider and a Client.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a system and method ofconnecting Clients and service Providers over a network such thatgraphical or visual information is rendered on demand in real time viavideo. Other data, text, audio, speech and multimedia content may alsobe exchanged or shared between the Client and the Provider in someaspects.

Examples of use of the present techniques include instructional (e.g.,tutoring) or demonstration usage whereby several registered Providers(e.g., tutors) are called on to serve the needs of respective registeredClients (e.g., pupils) using the present system and method.

According to an embodiment, Providers log into a website or applicationon a networked device, and indicate their availability for givingservice by starting a video session using a camera and microphoneconnected to their networked device or directly incorporated in it. Thestarting of said video session places said Provider in a Queue thatoperates in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner. Each Provider enteringsaid Queue receives an entry timestamp.

When a Client logs on and requests service from the Queue, e.g. byclicking a button, said Client will generally be connected to a videoroom of the Provider with the oldest timestamp (see exceptions below).

Client and Provider then engage in an online session during whichProvider provides service. The service may be instructional services(tutoring, teaching) or other assistive services as would be appreciatedby one of skill in the art. The service session will be considered overonce either of the parties exits the video room. Session audio and evencomplete video may be recorded or archived, e.g., for quality control,verification, training, or other auditing purposes. Time spent byClients and Providers in session may be recorded and Providers may becompensated and Clients may be billed according to the servicesrendered, e.g., type or duration of the services.

After a service session is completed, the Provider can exit the Queue.If the Provider wishes to continue providing services in the Queue,he/she receives a current timestamp (thus is effectively placed in thelast position in the Queue). This may or may not require entry of theProvider into a new video room.

In some aspects, Client has the option to designate any Provider ashaving a special “preferred” status. This status can be conferred on aProvider by a Client if the Client rates the Provider highly. A Clientmay designate multiple Providers as “preferred” Providers. Providers maybe designated “preferred” by multiple Clients.

Likewise, Client has the option to designate any Provider as having aspecial “undesired” status. This status can be conferred on a Providerby a Client if said Client is not satisfied with the service rendered bysaid Provider. A Client may designate multiple Providers as “undesired”Providers. Providers may be designated “undesired” by multiple Clients.An “undesired” Provider (or conversely Client) may be blocked by therespective Clients (or Providers) and prevented from contacting thecounterpart who designated them as “undesired”. A log of suchdesignations may also be reported, stored or logged in a database orcommunicated to an administrator of the system.

In an aspect, when a Client requests service, said Client may beconnected to a “preferred” Provider, if such a Provider is anywhere inthe Queue at the time of said Client's request. If multiple “preferred”Providers are in the Queue, the Client may be connected to the“preferred Provider with the oldest timestamp. If no Provider designatedby the Client as “preferred” is available at that time, or Client hasnot designated any Providers as “preferred, Client will be connected tothe Provider with the oldest timestamp. In some embodiments, a Clientmay never be connected to a Provider designated as “undesired” by saidClient, effectively blocking the “undesired” Provider from thedesignating Client.

If, during a service session, Provider and Client mutually agree toschedule one or more future online sessions with each other, in anotheraspect, Provider and Client can enter into a “favorite” statusrelationship. A “favorite” status relationship between a Client and aProvider confers on the Client and the Provider the ability tocoordinate dates and times for future sessions between them. Accordingto some embodiments, a Client can designate only one Provider at anytime as having “favorite” status. However, a Provider can be designateda “favorite” Provider by multiple Clients.

In yet another aspect, a Client in a “favorite” relationship with aProvider can request particular dates and times for a session with saidProvider. A Provider in a “favorite” relationship with one or moreClients can see the requests of all said Clients and accept themindividually, whereupon the time becomes “reserved” for that particularrequesting Client. Said Provider can also post date/times when he/she is“Open” i.e. available for providing service, such that said Clients cansee those times and reserve them.

At a mutually appointed time for a session between a Provider and aClient in a “favorite” relationship, said Provider enters a video roomand indicates availability for said particular Client and only saidClient can physically connect at that time to said Provider.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing features andexamples are illustrative of useful ways in which the present system andmethod can be implemented, but that other implementations includingother features can be implemented as well. Similarly, those skilled inthe art will understand that the above examples and aspects are not allrequired for operation of the present system and method. Such featuresand embodiments may be included as needed fro a given application.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of video-based communication 10 wherea Provider 101 is equipped with a computer 102 to which a documentcamera 103 is attached. The computer 102 in this case is connected to anetwork 104. Client is also provided with a network-connectedcommunication device and document camera which allows Client tocommunicate over said network with Provider. The communication betweenClient and Provider is preferably real-time or near real-time (meaningwith minimal propagation delay or latency) and may be over a wired,wireless or hybrid wired and wireless communication network such as theInternet. In a preferred embodiment, the document cameras provide bothvideo and audio communication between the parties. However, thoseskilled in the art would appreciate that the video feeds may be providedby a video camera while the audio feeds may be provided by a separateaudio microphone-speaker arrangement as available on the respectivedevices of the parties.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of video communication 20where a Provider is using a networked tablet computer 201 on which ismounted a reflective optical mirror or prism 203. The reflective mirroror prism 203 is placed such as to allow a camera embedded in the tablet201 to capture video of any objects placed in front of the tablet 201.Such a reflective camera is available for example from Osmo anddescribed at https://www.playosmo.com. The network connection betweentablet computer 201 and the communication network may be a wirelessconnection 202, e.g., 802.11 or a cellular connection, e.g., 3G, 4G, LTEor other wireless data connection.

In addition to real time audio and video, communication during a servicesession may include text chat, interactive shared electronic whiteboard,and any other mode of communication that enables the service thatbenefits the communicating parties.

In another aspect, more than two persons/devices may be involved in asingle communication session. For example, a tutor may provide tutoringto two or more students in a single live session. The two students maybe co-located or not.

An exemplary and non-limiting embodiment is described herein wherebytutors of mathematics provide assistance to high school students inconnection with the latters' scholastic studies, homework, exampreparation and so forth. In this embodiment, communication isestablished over a network using an appropriate protocol, e.g., viaWebRTC browser-based technology, and both students and tutorscommunicate using document cameras as described above. Said cameras canconvey real time video of horizontally placed documents from eachparty's desk, such that written or drawn work is transmitted in realtime while in the act of being written or drawn, as illustrated inFIG. 1. Textbooks, pages thereof, and other printed documents can alsobe relayed. Also, as mentioned earlier, audio conversations canaccompany the video transmission so that the students and tutors mayspeak to one another during a tutoring session in addition to theexchanged video imagery of their live video stream. The audio stream canbe synchronized with the video stream and implemented as a separate linkor as part of an audio-visual communication link as best suits a givenarchitecture.

Other embodiments of the hardware enabling a tutor-student connectioninclude a camera embedded in a tablet, such as shown in FIG. 2, or acamera held above a board and attached to said board (not illustrated).Said board could also be a dry-erase board. Other embodiments mayutilize cameras embedded in other locations on tablets, as well ascameras in smartphones. Any combination of a display and camera couldpotentially provide the requisite hardware. Again, audio information canbe included with or separately synchronized to the video data betweenthe communicating parties as necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating the initiation of video sessionsaccording to an embodiment 30. Mathematics tutors indicate theiravailability by logging on to a website and pressing a button to enter aunique video room. This act serves to place them in a FIFO queue 301ordered by the timestamp of entrance to the video room, as in the caseof “tutor #4” entering video room “D” (302). In this example the firsttutor in the queue, “tutor #1” in room “A” has the oldest timestamp. Thenext oldest timestamp belongs to “tutor #2” in room “B”, followed by“tutor #3” in room “C”. For illustration purposes, it is assumed that“tutor #3” has been chosen as a “preferred tutor” by “student #2”.

Logged in students that attempt to receive the real-time video-basedservice in this embodiment will be directed to the video room of thetutor with the oldest timestamp. In this case “student #1” will join“tutor #1” in room “A” (303).

When a second student, “student #2”, requests a session, he/she willjoin “tutor #3” in room “C” (304) because of the preferred status of“tutor #3”.

After “student #2” ends the video session, “tutor #3” may enter a newvideo room, room “E” (305) and receive a new timestamp in the queue.

The queue may be implemented by way of a table in a database having rowsincluding the tutors' identifying username, the unique video room name,the timestamp of entry into the room, and the identifying username of astudent when in session with a tutor.

Files can be uploaded by a student to the web server and will be visibleto any tutor during a session with said student. Screen sharing couldalso be implemented using WebRTC or a similar protocol. While thepresent examples are well suited for mathematics instruction, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the present methods and systemsare also suitable for other instructional, assistive or entertainmentapplications.

Referring to FIG. 4, a tutor in a “favorite” relationship with one ormore students may see a graphic interface 40 of an application runningon the tutor's communication device (e.g., computer, tablet, mobiledevice). Said tutor may use button 401 to enter a video room, whiledesignating either entrance to the General Queue, or limiting access toa particular “favorite” student by choosing said student's login from apull-down menu 402. In table 420, the tutor can see his/her own scheduleas well as the time requests of all “favorite” students and accept themindividually, whereupon the time becomes “reserved” for that particularrequesting student. A tutor can also post date/times when he/she is“Open” i.e. available for providing service, using date and time inputtools (410,411) such that “favorite” students can see those times andreserve them. These time slots may also be displayed on a calendar.

FIG. 5 illustrates an illustrative screen shot of an application showingan example of what the student interface would display (50) to a studentin a “favorite” relationship with a tutor. Two buttons are provided forentering a video room—one to start a session according to theaforementioned rules of the queue (501) and one to enter the video roomof the “favorite” tutor when a session has been scheduled (502). Saidstudent can request particular dates and times for a future session withthe “favorite” tutor using date and time input tools (510, 511). Therelevant part of the “favorite” tutor's schedule is displayed (520) and“Open” sessions can be reserved.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, the present system provides anetwork-based interface for communication between Providers (e.g., ofentertainment, instructional or other services) and Clients who requestsaid services. The Providers and Clients may be provided with aninstallable software application that exploits hardware on Providerterminal devices and Client terminal devices, respectively tocommunicate with a server owned or managed by a service, e.g., over theInternet. The Clients and Providers may enter the service through a sameor through separate interfaces, which can have Web-based front ends oremploy a specially-made software user interface.

Registered Clients and Providers are associated with respectiveidentification information, which can include a real name, a user namedifferent from the real name, an address, ID number or similar uniqueidentifying information. Authentication of registered users (Clients,Providers) can be accomplished using an authentication engine or modulethat can employ user name and password or other authenticationinformation recorded in a data store, e.g., in a memory unit coupled toa server.

Once authenticated as a registered user (either Client or Provider)registered Clients are directed to a Client queue, which can be afirst-in-first-out (FIFO) queue. Registered Providers are directed to aFIFO Provider queue. When a Provider waiting to provide services hasbeen in the Provider queue longer than other Providers, he or she willtake up the next incoming Client request for services. Similarly,Clients who have been waiting in the Client queue longer than otherClients would be allocated to the next available Provider. In one aspectthis addresses the situation where the number of Providers and Clientsconnected to the system are not the same.

A connected and authenticated but yet unpaired Provider is placed into avideo room environment (e.g., using WebRTC or another protocol), intowhich a connected and authenticated Client is placed. The Client and theProvider, having been paired into the video room, can now interact andconduct the instructional session. A session may entail a one-on-oneconnection between the terminal devices of the Client and the Provider,directly, i.e. in a peer-to-peer configuration. Or, the session may bebrokered by the server or a dedicated video conferencing server in acentralized configuration. The placement of the Provider and the Clientinto the video room can take place prior to pairing, or alternatively,at the time of pairing.

In general, one Provider is assigned to one Client, forming a one-to-onepair between a paired Provider and a paired Client. The system may pairClients and Providers based on a pairing criterion that can include alength of time in queue, a membership or payment level (e.g., premiummembers are processed more quickly than others) or on the basis of a“favorite” identification. As mentioned, a Client may indicate aProvider as a “favorite” (or conversely, a less “favorite”) and that isrecorded in the data store so that this Client and this Provider can befavorably paired in future sessions (or not paired if they indicate theydo not wish to work together again).

Client accounting information can be recorded in the server's datastore. This accounting information may indicate a payment method, costbasis, minutes remaining in a Client's balance or other informationindicative of how much a Client can spend on services or has spent onservices to be billed by the system. In an aspect, the valuation of theservices is time-dependent and can depend on the time of day (e.g.,prime homework time could be more or less costly), the day of the year(e.g., the days around final exams could be more or less costly), or thenumber of Clients or Providers present in their respective queues (e.g.,based on a supply and demand of Providers and Clients at a given time).An indication of the valuation of the services can be displayed to theClients and Providers through their respective interfaces on theservice's Web site or on the terminal devices through an app runningthereon.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary architecture of a system 60 on which thepresent methods can be applied. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat this representation is for illustrative purposes and that otherequivalent implementations with other optional features and componentsare possible and comprehended by this disclosure.

A Provider terminal device 610 is operated or owned by a serviceProvider who interacts with system 60 through a Provider interface 612.A Client terminal device 620 similarly interacts with the system 60through Client interface 622. The Client and Provider terminal devices620, 610 may be equipped with respective display screens 621, 611 andvideo cameras 623, 613. The displays and the cameras may be on a sameface or side of the terminal devices so that a user can both send andview imagery of themselves or a document they are working on during asession. The cameras 623, 613 may be downward-facing with respect to theenvironment of the users so as to focus and direct the field of view ofthe cameras towards a document, page of a text book, note book orsimilar writing surface. The cameras may also be configured toexclusively project images of said documents so as to obscure and notinclude images of their respective users, e.g., for privacy purposes,especially when used by minors.

Server 600 may include in addition to a processor 601 and memory unit602 a communications port 603 for exchanging data with other computersor over network 62. Server 600 may also be provided with a pairingengine 604 to pair Clients and Providers, e.g., using a pairingcriterion as discussed herein. Also, a scheduling engine 605 is providedfor generating scheduling messages alerting certain Providers andClients of an upcoming future time for scheduled instructional servicesbetween them. A calendar app or extension may allow a Client to requesta certain time for his/her next session with a Provider. The Providercan accept the requested schedule time and a confirmation message issent through the Client and Provider interfaces 622, 612. In addition,file sharing and screen sharing engines 607, 608 may be included inserver 600 for allowing paired Clients and Providers to exchangeinformation in electronic files or as video image streams.

Each of the Client and Provider terminal devices can communicate withthe system 60 directly or indirectly, depending on the givenimplementation desired. In some aspects, video streams between theClient and the Provider are exchanged directly. In other aspects, avideo server 64 may broker the exchange of video and/or audio databetween the Client and the Provider, e.g., over a network 62.

In an embodiment, an alert is sent to a Provider terminal deviceinforming the Provider that one of his/her pupils (Clients) is connectedand requesting instructional services. This can be achieved using storedfavorites or ranking data in the memory of server 600 if a Provider isidentified as a preferred or favorite of a connected Client. Also,registered Providers may receive messages alerting them of the need fortheir services, e.g., that a large number of Clients await service,optionally informing the Providers of favorable service rates at timesof high demand.

This embodiment preserves privacy and confidentiality in that noidentifying information about the tutor needs to be provided to thestudent, only students' usernames are known by the tutor, and faces arenot displayed due to the use of document cameras.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particularembodiments described above, but rather should be understood to coverall aspects of the invention as fairly set out herein. Variousmodifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures towhich the present invention may be applicable, will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art to which the present invention is directedupon review of the present disclosure.

I claim:
 1. A computing and communication system for facilitating videoconnection services between Providers and Clients over a communicationnetwork, comprising: a server having a processor for processinginstructions and data, a communications port for communicating withProviders and Clients over said interface, and a data store containingat least a pairing engine; a network-based Provider interface forpairing a plurality of registered Providers to said system throughrespective Provider terminal devices; a Provider queue receiving atleast a subset of said plurality of registered Providers, said Providerqueue being a first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue, wherein each Provider'sposition in the queue is determined by the time of entry to a videoconference environment; a network-based Client interface for coupling aplurality of registered Clients to said system through respective Clientterminal devices; a Client queue receiving at least a subset of saidplurality of registered Clients, said Client queue being afirst-in-first-out (FIFO) queue; wherein said server data store containsinformation identifying said registered Providers and Clients as well asaccounting information regarding said Clients' accounts that are billedfor corresponding video connection services; the video conferencingenvironment providing a plurality of video rooms to which each of saidsubset of registered Providers are connected, one Provider perrespective video room, and to which said subset of registered Clientsare connected, so that for each connected Client the Client is paired toa corresponding connected Provider, forming a paired Provider-Clientset, in a respective video room allocated only to said Client and saidProvider during a connection session involving said paired Client andsaid paired Provider; wherein said Provider and said Client queues areadapted and arranged so that each Client entering said Client queue isset to be paired with an available unpaired Provider who has been insaid Provider queue for the longest time of any other available unpairedProvider based on a timestamp of each such Provider indicating therespective Provider's time of entry into said Provider queue; andsending an alert message to a registered Provider when a registeredClient enters said Client queue.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a respective video camera interface in each of said Providerand Client interfaces adapted and arranged to transmit images of adocument between the respective paired Client and paired Provider duringa connection session between said paired Client and paired Provider insaid respective video room.
 3. The system of claim 1, said videoconferencing environment comprising a World Wide Web browser-basedWebRTC environment implemented on each of said connected Client devicesand said connected Provider devices.
 4. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a file sharing engine and a screen sharing engine adapted andarranged in said processor to separately share files and screen displayimages between a Provider terminal device and a Client terminal devicecorresponding to said paired Provider and paired Client, respectively.5. The system of claim 1 where additional communication channels includean interactive shared electronic whiteboard.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein any of said Client terminal device further comprises a videocamera adapted and arranged to generate a real-time image of a documentin proximity to said Client terminal device, and to display arepresentation of said image of said document on a display screen ofsaid Client terminal device, and further to transmit a representation ofsaid image of said document over said network to a display screen ofsaid Provider terminal device.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein atleast one of said Provider terminal device and said Client terminaldevice comprises a mobile communication device with a display screen anda video camera both disposed on a same side of said terminal device. 8.The system of claim 1, further comprising an accounting database in saiddata store so as to retain accounting information related to theClient's use of said system, including a session duration and billingbasis for affecting payment of services.
 9. The system of claim 1,further comprising any of: a scheduling engine adapted and arranged toreceive schedule information from a selected Provider and schedulerequests from a Client and pair said selected Provider and said Clientaccording to the Provider's schedule information and the Client'srequest; a ranking engine adapted and arranged in said processor toreceive rankings and preference data from said Clients; a calendaringapplication; a file sharing application; and a screen sharing engine.